Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation: From membrane to nucleus and from bench to bedside

Inflammation is a normal part of the immune response and should be self-limiting. Excessive or unresolved inflammation is linked to tissue damage, pathology and ill health. Prostaglandins and leukotrienes produced from the omega-6 fatty acid arachidonic acid are involved in inflammation. Fatty acids may also influence inflammatory processes through mechanisms not necessarily involving lipid mediators. The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) possess a range of anti-inflammatory actions. Increased content of EPA and DHA in the membranes of cells involved in inflammation has effects on the physical nature of the membranes and on the formation of signalling platforms called lipid rafts. EPA and DHA interfere with arachidonic acid metabolism which yields prostaglandins and leukotrienes involved in inflammation. EPA gives rise to weak (e.g. less inflammatory) analogues and both EPA and DHA are substrates for synthesis of specialised pro-resolving mediators. Through their effects on early signalling events in membranes and on the profile of lipid mediators produced, EPA and DHA alter both intracellular and intercellular signals. Within cells this leads to altered patterns of gene expression and of protein production. The net result is decreased production of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, proteases and enzymes. The anti-inflammatory and inflammation resolving effects of EPA and DHA are relevant to both prevention and treatment of human diseases that have an inflammatory component. This has been widely studied in rheumatoid arthritis where there is good evidence that high doses of EPA+DHA reduce pain and other symptoms.